The Hyundai Veloster quickly improved to the point of becoming a serious rival to the best sports cars on the market. The 2022 Veloster N, which Torque News is reviewing this week, is pleasantly fun to drive sports car. Some reviewers say it's fun to drive despite having the manual transmission (M/T), but I say it is the manual transmission that makes it even more engaging vehicle.
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When Hyundai introduce the Veloster in 2011, many people were attracted to this little car with its original concept. The Veloster attracted many car enthusiasts in social media and forums. Despite the past two years, it has generally being doing well with car enthusiasts.
Veloster was affordable, fun to drive and its performance versions were quite impressive. Then, the N version came into play giving the Veloster enthusiasts more performance and HP. In fact, for the 2022 model year there is only the N version in the Veloster range. Only one trim.
I think Hyundai has understood that it's the small, affordable SUVs that are popular now and that the only reason a small car like the Veloster exists is to offer performance and a driving experience that you can't in an SUV in the same price range.
Which Veloster is still available in 2022?
According to the brand, the 2022 Hyundai Veloster N will remain available with a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The Veloster N comes standard with the Performance Package. It has 19-inch wheels, variable valve exhaust and electronic limited-slip differential. Its eight-inch screen with navigation is available along with additional security features. This is what made the Veloster N the most expensive version of the Hyundai model in 2021. With an MSRP of $ 32,500, the Veloster N is a good value option for someone looking to drive a manual transmission. Its four-cylinder engine has a surprising power with 275 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque.
The Exterior and Interior
The design of this second-generation model is much more fluid and consistent than that of its predecessor. The front of the 2022 Veloster is very sympathetic and kind of atypical. Dressed in N, it certainly does not go unnoticed with its huge spoiler, 19-inch rims and gigantic exhaust tips.
The design is what allowed the Hyundai Veloster to attract its followers from the very beginning and I have to say that the Korean manufacturer has done a great job to evolve the model without distorting it. Moreover, the specific touches given to the N version make it really sporty and although it is not very varied, its color palette only includes beautiful colors which perfectly combine the sporting elements of the car.
As for the interior, Hyundai has certainly bet on simplicity, more than the exterior, but that's what brings a certain balance to the car. For the rest, it is very comfortable and its finish is impeccable for a car of this category. By the way, I love the 2-door concept on the passenger side, which makes it as practical as a sedan while maintaining the appearance of a sports coupe on the driver's side. It's a 3-door vehicle.
The interior of a Veloster N is roomy up front, but slightly cramped in the rear, so it sits somewhere between a coupe and a hatchback. Four adults can comfortably travel in this vehicle given its size. The seats are enveloping and comfortable bucket seats, even for larger individuals. The blue seat belts are cool and immediately attract attention. In addition to the blue seat belts the sporty steering wheel, and blue buttons distinguish an N from a regular Veloster. The small side door indeed facilitates access to the rear seats. Perhaps, it's better to reserve the rear seats for children, but it depends on the size of your passengers.
For the rest, the cabin presentation is very conservative, and the materials used are correct, nothing more. Some plastics are cheap, while the analog instrumentation seems to come from a previous generation Hyundai vehicle.
Besides this lack of modernity and refinement, the degree of ergonomics of a Veloster is good, and all the features of the vehicle are easy to grasp. It is the same for the multimedia system. Although lacking in sophistication, it is remarkably simple and user-friendly.
The Driving
I have been reviewing the manual transmission 2022 Veloster and I should stay I really love the vehicle's precision, performance and the pleasure it evokes behind the wheel.
I heard from other Veloster reviewers that even with the automatic transmission (DCT) this sports car remains highly engaging in the absence of a clutch pedal. This is, however, very different conduct. What you lose in strong sensations, you regain in efficiency.
When you drive it you feel that the car has a frim grip of the road.
The accelerations are spontaneous. The Veloster N is by no means subtle. The car releases huge backfires when you let go of the accelerator.
Signature Points
The Hyundai Veloster has proven to be quite reliable and inexpensive to maintain since its introduction to the market. What allows the small sports car of the Korean manufacturer to stand out from the competition is as much its design as its performance. It is different in every way and it has found a rather comfortable niche in the market.
The 2022 Hyundai Veloster competes with Volkswagen GT and Honda Civic Si. One of the most important reasons to have a Veloster would be the price. It outperforms these other two competitors by a considerable margin.
Alternatives To Hyundai Veloster
When it comes to Hyundai, if style and branding are something you are looking for in the Veloster, check out the Kona and Elantra.
Elantra is a fitting replacement to Veloster. It even continues with the Veloster's turbot engine. The Kona is a subcompact SUV that debuted in 2018 and will receive a major update for the first time in 2022. The new trim to the N line adds a sporty look not found on previous models or many other subcompact SUVs.
Conclusion
The 2022 Hyundai Veloster N is a sports car that deserves to be known, regardless of the gearbox you choose. Personally, I would go with the manual transmission for several reasons, but the automatic nevertheless fares well. The 2022 Veloster N is a fun sports compact across the board. Because of its excellent reliability record I would recommend you take a look at this vehicle when looking into a subcompact size vehicle for your driving needs.
Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebok, Linkedin and Youtube.
Reference: RPMWeb, Auto Aubaine, Siempre Auto.
Images by Armen Hareyan.
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